113 ~ Inari Jinja

 

Japanese Name:  稲荷神社
Romanized Reading: Inari Jinja
English Translation: Inari Shrine
Size: Tiny Side Shrine of Ebara Jinja
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 4
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Coordinates: 35.6168803,139.7433525

One of a trio of side shrines of Ebara Jinja (荏原神社 "Bean Meadow Shrine"), and the only one to feature foxes... more or less. Strictly speaking, the first pair of foxes flanks the entrance of all three side shrines, while another pair sits directly in front of this shrine.

The shrines to the left and right are a tiny Hachimangu (八幡宮 "Hachiman Hall") to the left and an equally tiny Kumano Jinja (熊野神社 "Bear Field Shrine") to the right. Hachiman shrines are the second-most common type after Inari shrines, being dedicated to Hachiman, god of warriors. Kumano Shrines are a somewhat less common and are connected with the three great Kumano shrines on the Kii Peninsula that are considered some of the most sacred and significant Shinto sites in Japan.